a golden rule indeed!

Jesus lays down a general principle for our guidance in all doubtful questions between man and man. We are to do to others as we would have others do unto us. We are not to deal with others as others deal with us. This is mere selfishness and heathenism. We are to deal with others as we would like others to deal with us. This is real Christianity.

This is a golden rule indeed! It does not merely forbid all petty malice and revenge, all cheating and taking advantage of others. It does much more. It settles a hundred difficult points, which in a world like this are continually arising between man and man. It prevents the necessity of laying down endless little rules for our conduct in specific cases. It sweeps the whole debatable ground with one mighty principle. It shows us a balance and measure by which everyone may see at once what his duty is.

Is there a thing which we would not like our neighbor to do unto us? Then let us always remember that this is the thing which we ought not to do unto him. Is there a thing which we would like him to do unto us? Then this is the very thing which we ought to do unto him. How many intricate questions would be decided at once if this rule were honestly used!

—J.C. Ryle, ‘Expository Thoughts on Matthew'